At a distance, Priscy clutched her fists tightly as she watched them. She was the one who had told the workers not to associate with Nicole, she had threatened them that she would lay them off if she finds them chatting with her, hence everyone was cautious.
After making the copies, Leo took the documents on one hand and the other hand held Nicole's wrist sending her to the common desks area of the workers.
''Leo, what are you doing?'' Nicole asked when Leo stood in front of everyone.
''You are right in your thoughts. She is someone who is special to me. I don't know what you heard but if you try to mess with her base on something you heard but didn't actually see, you will be messing with me and you all know I don't forgive those who mess with me''
The workers pursed their lips and lowered their gazes.
''Those of you who took the pictures, don't forget I am in the company's server. It will be in your best interest to delete them. if I see any news thread making waves in the server, you might as well take your pay check from her and leave peacefully. Right, she is your new accountant, so if you have any questions concerning your end of year bonus or have any prior holiday that you want to use, you can contact her. I always say this; don't judge someone based on what you heard and rather on how the person acts towards you. That is the greatest prove of who a decent human being is''
When Leo finished, the workers clapped their hands for the wonderful speak. This was why they loved working for him. He was unbending in his principles and always treated people based on how they made him feel.
''Nicole, introduce yourself to them'' Leo said to Nicole and she nodded her head.
''Hi, everyone. I am Nicole Benson; you can simply call me Nicole. I know most of you think I entered here based on my connections with the CEO but I want to say that, watch over me and decide whether I deserve this position or not. I promise to work hard and earn your respect and recognition'' Nicole bowed before them and smiled.
''Nicole is the new accountant for our company, I hope you get along well with her'' Leo said and smiled at Nicole before turning away. He saw Priscy at her door watching them. Without bothering to acknowledge her, he went into his office.
The workers pulled Nicole over to their side and circled around her, asking her curious questions.
This scene infuriated Priscy and she clutched her nails hard against her palms. She looked at Nicole for a while and turned to go inside and saw Leo looking at her from his door. The latter had intentionally stopped to look at her. none said anything to the other and simply went into their offices.
.....
A few days later.
Nicole went to the office clerk at the reception to collect some forms that the workers had filled for their end of year bonus and holiday schedule. Since they were in the month of December, everyone wanted to spend some time with their families, so they had to take turns in scheduling their holidays.
After taking the forms, she was going towards Leo's office when she heard someone call her name and she turned coming face to face with Priscy who had just exited her own office.
''Miss Benson'' Priscy stood in front of Nicole with her high heels which made her extra taller. Anyone seeing her for the first time would feel intimated but not Nicole, she had long become accustomed to the fact that she and Priscy would never get along. Heck, they couldn't even be able to pretend to like each other.
''Good morning, Miss Priscy'' Nicole greeted politely.
''Where are you coming from?''
''Leo, sorry, the CEO asked me to pick up the forms at the clerk and come out with a Christmas bonus budget for the workers''
''I see'' she said and looked at Nicole who didn't back down either with her gaze. She smiled and asked, ''you were at the cemetery on Lizzy's burial day, right?''
''I'm sorry but I don't know what you are talking about'' Nicole pretended.
''Keep playing smart with me Miss. Benson, I am waiting to see how far you are going to go with that façade of yours''
''If there is nothing else, I would go now'' Nicole said and turned to go and Priscy held her hand. She quickly let go and stepped back looking at Nicole. Nicole clutched her fist tightly. She had forgotten her body temperature was low and didn't cover her hands before coming out of the office.
Because of her body temperature, Leo had adjusted the air conditioner in their officer to make her feel warmth. She was supposed to go to the hospital today after work. Since it was still morning and she had just left the office, her body had regained colour a little. Who knew it would suddenly act up when she was being touched by this witch.
''You… what is that?'' Priscy asked horrified. She felt a chill when she touched her body just now. The temperature wasn't a normal person's body temperature. It scared her.
''Excuse me'' Nicole turned to go and Priscy stopped her.
''Stop right there. Explain to me why your body temperature is like that?'' she asked her and Nicole sighed. ''What exactly are you?'' she tried to touch her again and a trench coat covered Nicole's body up.
''Go inside, Nikki'' Leo said after covering her up with the trench coat.
''Okay'' Nicole nodded and went inside.
''Leo, that woman is not human. Her body temperature isn't normal'' Priscy pointed at Nicole.
''She is sick; I plan to take her to the hospital after work today''
''No, Leo, you don't understand. That woman can't be human. No human will be able to survive such low body temperature; I am telling you''
Leo looked at her and sighed.
Watching them from inside the office, she touched her body felt her temperature dropping.
''Am I really not human? What exactly am I?'' she asked herself and felt even more confused. The dream from the other day came to mind and she frowned. ''Who is that woman I saw on the hospital bed?''
''Nicole'' Leo stood at the door after entering the office. She turned to look at him and he went closer to her, ''Nicole, what's wrong?'' her body was shivering.
''I don't know. I just feel so cold. Leo, coffee, I want hot coffee''
''Sit down'' he helped her to the couch in the office and hurriedly went out to get the hot coffee for her.
Nicole shivered under the coat on her body. Her eyes were shutting forcefully as her teeth clacked against each other. She closed her eyes after a while.
...
Somewhere outside the city, at a remote hospital.
A patient who had been laying in the hospital bed had suddenly regained consciousness and her eyes opened.
She exhaled out forcefully and saw that a doctor was checking her up. Her mother and twin brother were also there waiting anxiously, waiting for the doctor to tell them what was happening.
''Doctor, how is my daughter doing?''
''This is a miracle. This has never happened before. The patient seems to be in good shape but we have to run a few test on her to know further''
''Really? Does that mean my daughter is finally awake?'' the older woman was excited, but her excitement was cut short when the monitors started going off and the patient went into another cardiac arrest again.
''What happened?'' the older woman asked.
''Hurry, bring the AED machine'' the doctor gave the command before performing CPR on the patient.
....
Back at the City, inside Leo's office.
Leo had brought the coffee and was trying to wake Nicole up to no avail. He became worried and took out his phone to call the paramedics when suddenly he had her exhale out forcefully and her eyes opened at once.
Nicole coughed and looked frightened when she woke up. She was panting for breath as she held her racing heart.
''Nicole, are you alright?'' Leo asked and helped her to sit up.
She ignored his question and with quavering hands, she took the hot coffee and started drinking.
''Be careful, it's hot…'' Leo didn't finish his words when he saw the empty mug placed on the table.
Nicole inhaled and exhaled in relief after drinking the coffee. She felt some warmth coming to her body. The hotness of the coffee didn't even scald or burn her.
When Leo saw this, he stepped back and held the table for support.
''What's wrong?'' Nicole asked and looked at him. Her eyes were bloodshot as she stared at him.
''Nicole, you are not Nicole, right?'' Leo asked unsurely.
''What?'' she felt a tickle on her eyes and closed them shaking her head. When she opened them, her normal eye colour returned and she heaved and leaned against the couch and asked Leo, ''what happened to me just now?''